space for transparencyThis blog by Transparency International provides an independent and informed viewpoint on corruption. It gives a space to start a worldwide conversation on possible solutions to overcome corruption, and on governance, transparency and accountability.

French anti-corruption efforts coming up short

Ten French presidential candidates have already publicly engaged with our chapter Transparence International France’s 7 propositions for the fight against corruption – but President Nicolas Sarkozy has not. Transparence International France is calling on him to do so, along with all remaining presidential candidates.

Just after his election victory in 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy said that he wanted to make France into an “irreproachable” republic: clean and corruption free. 5 years on, as he campaigns for a second presidential term, just how successful has he been? Transparence International France set out to answer this question.

Their 5 year review of France’s fight against corruption, published on March 1, suggests that there is still some way to go.

The review assesses anti-corruption initiatives undertaken by the President, government and the parliamentary majority.

One particular weak point is the independence of the judiciary. The review also noted that the judiciary does not have the means necessary to fight corruption.

Another clear problem lies in preventing conflicts of interest. The review pointed out that a law promised by the government for ministers and functionaries in the context of l’Affaire Bettencourt (from the name of L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, a case that includes suspicions of illicit financing of an electoral campaign) has still not seen the light of day.

Reading Transparency International France’s 5 year review, it becomes clear that France has not become “irreproachable” during Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency. A renewed code of ethics must be placed at the heart of public life and the fight against corruption must be made a real political priority in France.

5 Responses to French anti-corruption efforts coming up short

Good post, The company I founded in the US in 1994, SetNet, filed a lawsuit in France for massive counterfeiting of our company’s software (wireless email for mobiles) in february 2007, it’s now March 2012, 5 years later and after being represented by 3 well known law firms, “lead” by 2 heads of the Paris bar, including the current one, still no first judgement (tribunal de Commerce de Paris). Given the size of the opposing party’s law firm, global and huge, if it was so easy to dismiss us they would have done that after 5 years, wouldn’t have they ?

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Space for Transparency

This blog by Transparency International provides an independent and informed viewpoint on corruption. It gives a space to start a worldwide conversation on possible solutions to overcome corruption, and on governance, transparency and accountability.